Internet enabled video media content stream

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes receiving weblink information, receiving media content, inserting the weblink information into a digital frame, providing the plurality of digital frames as a video stream to a consumer media device, displaying, by the consumer media device, the video stream, receiving, by the consumer media device, a user input to pause the video stream during the displaying of the video stream to pause the video stream to display a current digital frame of the plurality of digital frames, receiving, by the consumer media device, a user input indicating a selection of a portion of the current digital frame, determining selected Weblink information for the portion of the current digital frame, and providing a connection to a website associated with the selected Weblink information to the consumer media device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/216,024, filed on Jul. 21, 2016. All sections of the aforementionedapplication are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a system and method for providingmedia content with Internet enabled content.

BACKGROUND

Media content is provided to customers via a broadcast source separatelyfrom Internet accessed content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 100 for a VideoInternet System;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of method 200 used in portionsof the system 100 described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an additional illustrative embodiment of a method 300used in portions of the system 100 described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an additional illustrative embodiment of a method 400used in portions of the system 100 described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts an additional illustrative embodiment of a method 500used in portions of the system 100 described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 depicts an additional illustrative embodiment of a method 600used in portions of the system 100 described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiments of a communication systemthat provide media services to systems employing system 100 of FIG. 1and methods 200-600 of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of with the system 100 ofFIG. 1 and methods 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 1100 of FIGS. 2-6 and11;

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein; and

FIG. 11 depicts an additional illustrative embodiment of a method 1100used in portions of the system 100 described in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for providing media content with Internet links provided indigital frames of a video stream of the media content. Other embodimentsare described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method thatincludes receiving, by a processing system comprising a processor,product website information, receiving, by the processing system, mediacontent, wherein the media content comprises a plurality of digitalframes, inserting, by the processing system, the product websiteinformation into a digital frame of the plurality of digital frames thatincludes an object related to the product website information,providing, by the processing system, the plurality of digital frames asa video stream to a consumer media device, displaying, by the consumermedia device, the video stream, receiving, by the consumer media device,a user input to pause the video stream during the displaying of thevideo stream to pause the video stream to display a current digitalframe of the plurality of digital frames, receiving, by the consumermedia device, a user input indicating a selection of a portion of thecurrent digital frame, wherein the portion of the current digital frameindicates the object related to the product website information,determining, by the processing system, selected product websiteinformation for the portion of the current digital frame, and providing,by the processing system, a connection to a website associated with theselected product website information to the consumer media device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include machine-readablestorage medium, including executable instructions that, when executed bya processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations that include receiving media content, wherein the mediacontent comprises a plurality of digital frames, receiving an accessinformation database including a plurality of item categories, aplurality of objects, and plurality of webpage links, performing a firstsearch of the plurality of digital frames to determine if an object inthe digital frame matches an item category of the plurality of itemcategories, displaying the media content, receiving a command to pausethe media content during the displaying of the media content to pausethe media content to display a current digital frame of the plurality ofdigital frames, performing a second search of the current digital frameto determine if an object in the current digital frame matches an objectof the plurality of objects as a matching object, retrieving webpagelinks for the object from the plurality of webpage links from thedatabase, inserting the webpage links into the current digital frame atthe matching object, receiving an input indicating a selection of aportion of the current digital frame, and providing a connection to awebsite associated with the webpage link via an intranet.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include an apparatus thatincludes a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations, including providing mediacontent to a media processor, wherein the media content comprises aplurality of digital frames, providing a website link database to themedia processor, wherein the website link database includes websiteinformation for selected objects that appear in the plurality of digitalframes, wherein the media processor adds website links to the selectedobjects in a digital frame of the plurality of digital frames responsiveto receiving a pause command, receiving an indication of a selection ofone the selected objects in the digital frame as a selected webpage fromthe media processor, and providing a secure connection to the selectedwebpage to the media processor, wherein the media processor opens a webbrowser window to present the selected webpage.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a video Internet system, orVnet system, 100. FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile computing device 102 onwhich a streaming or broadcast video stream 104 is displayed on a screen106 of the mobile computing device 102.

Additionally, FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary method 1100 that can be usedin portions of Vnet system 100 in FIG. 1. Method 1100 describesexemplary steps for receiving webpages from media content. Exemplarily,in step 1102, a video stream is paused. The video stream can includeinternet links contained within the paused image. Each frame of a TVshow or advertisement can contain a link to an address on the Internet.In advanced cases multiple spot of each frame can be allocated todifferent accessible Internet links.

Once paused, in step 1104, the links within the paused image can beaccessed. In other embodiments, step 1102 can be eliminated so thatunpaused video having Internet links can be accessed. In someembodiments, the images can be access via a cursor or other pointerdevice. In other embodiments, a touch sensitive screen can be utilizedto allow the user to touch the image on the screen. In yet otherembodiments, a voice command can be used.

Returning to FIG. 1, as illustrated in screen shot 108, a paused imageis provided with Internet links based on a location on the screen 106.Exemplarily, objects in the screen shot are provided with customizedInternet links. These links would link to websites that exemplaryprovide more information or shopping opportunities. Thus, in the exampleof FIG. 1, screen shot 108 includes object based links 110 and 112.Exemplarily, object based links 110 and 112 are provided for differentobjects on the screen shot 108.

Returning to FIG. 11, in step 1106, a selected link can be accessed. Theresponsive spots can be allocated to related web pages on the internetthat can be used for commercial purposes like online ordering or furthersearches related to the media content.

Exemplarily, the related webpages are opened in a window. In addition,the related webpages can provide a secure environment for any orderbeing placed through a website maintained by a merchant because thewebpage is presented and controlled by the service provider thatprovides the media content. Exemplarily, the content provider and theuser already have a preexisting contractual arrangement. Accordingly,the service provider can ensure the user and the merchant connect in asecure environment because a whole end-to-end connectivity is providedby the content provider. Exemplarily, the content provider can maintainthe user's financial information to conduct payment arrangements withthe merchant, thus ensuring a very secure transaction.

Exemplarily, if the user accessing the webpage of a merchant that has aservice agreement with the same network provider as the Vnet system, theconnection to the webpage can be initiated via an intranet that issecured by the content provider. In other embodiments, a situation canarise where the webpage is provided by a merchant that is outside thecontent provider's intranet. In this instance, the content provider canstill check the webpage security and credentials before providing theuser access to the webpage. Accordingly, the user can experience ahigher level of Internet security than if the user had accessed thewebpage through other means, such as simply typing the name of theproduct into a search engine. In other embodiments, the product providermay not be a direct customer of the service provider. In some instances,a public network may be used. In order to ensure the security of theusers, the communication between the product provider and user should isexemplarily routed through a firewall that is established and maintainedby the Vnet system.

Returning to Vnet system 100 of FIG. 1, in an example in which objectbased link 110 was selected, webpage 114 has been provided in a newwindow on the mobile computing device 102. Exemplarily, the user canaccess webpage 114 to peruse and possibly purchase the item, in thiscase the white couch in screen shot 108 that was associated with theobject based link. As illustrated in highlight 116 of webpage 114, thewebpage can be accessed via an intranet created between the merchant andthe service provider.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of method 200 used in the Vnetsystem 100 described in FIG. 1. Exemplarily, method 200 starts withInternet Protocol access information being included in a digital framein a video stream in step 202. The Internet Protocol access information,which can also be referred to as website product information, canexemplarily be added by the content provider before broadcasting orstreaming the media content. Exemplarily, the video stream provided by aservice provider includes a plurality of digital frames that makes upthe media content provided by the content provider. Exemplarily, imagesin the digital frame will have webpage addresses assigned to them. Forexample, images of products in an advertisement would include links towebpages associated with the product. In step 202, the service providerexemplarily streams or broadcasts the media content. In addition, themedia content is exemplarily displayed at a user media device.

Next, in step 204, while the media content is being presented on theuser media device, the user media device will, responsive to receivingan input indicating a pause command, pause the video. In addition,during the pause of the media content, the video stream can be bufferedas exemplarily illustrated in step 208.

Once paused, a digital frame of the media content is displayed on theuser media device and the webpage links included in the paused digitalframe can become active. Next, in step 206, a user input indicating aselection of a portion of the screen will open a window to a webpageaccording to the webpage link. In addition, as illustrated in step 210 asecure connection is established with the webpage.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 300 used byexemplary embodiments of the Vnet system 100 of FIG. 1. In method 300,the video stream can exemplarily be received and presented by a mobiledevice that includes a mobile application, or mobile app. The mobileapplication can be referred to as a Vnet application or Vnet app.Exemplarily, the mobile application can insert the Internet Protocolaccess information, which can also be referred to as product webpageinformation, for the video stream instead of the content providerdirectly providing the Internet Protocol access information within themedia content. In step 302, the mobile application receives andpreprocesses each digital frame of the video stream. Exemplarily, theVnet application has received a database of Internet Protocol accessinformation. The Internet Protocol access information database caninclude image information and the related webpage links for thoseimages. The product webpage information database can exemplarily beorganized by merchant, manufacturer, product type, among othercategories. Exemplarily, the mobile application searches each digitalframe for images related to known categories in the preprocessing stage.In other embodiments, the database can be accessed via a cloud-basedconnection to the relevant information.

Exemplarily, the Internet Protocol access information database can bereferred to as an access information database. The access informationdatabase can include multiple sub-databases that are arranged accordingto categories. The access information database can be organizedaccording to a merchant's information so that when an object for thatmerchant is found within the media content, that merchant's particulardatabase can be preloaded. For example, if the media content currentlyincludes a commercial advertisement being displayed, then the merchantassociated with that commercial advertisement can be preloaded. Inanother embodiment, the access information database can includecategories for types of products. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, themedia content scene can include a variety of furniture. If thepreprocessing recognizes furniture in a scene being displayed, asub-database including a variety of webpage links for furniture can beaccessed. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 1, once the scene ispaused, the furniture database can be readily loaded to find webpagelinks for the furniture 110 and 112. Next, the webpage 114 for object110, here a sofa, can be accessed, once selected, based on the webpageinformation associated with that object included in the accessinformation database.

Returning to FIG. 3, preprocessing exemplarily includes recognizing, formedia content that includes commercial content, the commercialprovider's identity and a related product database. Accordingly, eachframe of the commercial can be prepared for further searches. Forexample, depending on the commercial prover's identity, differentcategories of the provider's products can be accessed. In addition,knowing this information ahead of time can provide instant access therelevant, particular sections of a database and make a connectivityprocess nearly instant after receiving a pause and a final selection.

In addition, the preprocessing can identify items that may be related toother business agreements or image filters that the media contentprovider has arranged with other businesses. In one example, the mobileapplication would search the image for any vehicle to identify a carmanufacturer that the media content provider has an advertising contractwith.

Next, in step 304, responsive to a pause in the video, a more intensesearch of the image for objects can take place. Exemplarily, the searchcan be more intense because a processor has more time to fully analyzethe image for relevant content. Thus, while preprocessing exemplarilyallows the system to recognize categorical and general sections of eachdigital frame and, as soon as paused, the image search performed whilepause can add more detailed connectivity options to each category oradditional products in the first recognized picture. For example if theprimary picture was a table, after the pause, the system may startidentifying all objects on the table such as lamps, or vases, if theseitems are provided by same merchant or business entity.

In addition, the second search while paused can also determine websitesof similar products to give more options to the customer if desired.Accordingly, another search of the image can be performed after pausingthe image to find additional items to provide with website links. Inother embodiments, the preprocessing steps can be eliminated and onlythe post-pause search of the image can be carried out.

Next, in step 306, links to websites can be added to the objects.Exemplarily, these links are related to the objects on the screen asfound during either one of the first, preprocessing search or during thesecond, more intense search. Exemplarily, the links can be for websitesthrough which a purchase can be made or through which more informationabout the product can be found. Additionally, in step 308, the pausedmedia content video stream can be buffered. In some embodiments, thesecond, more intensive search can be performed during the pause.

Next in step 310, an input indicating a selection of an object in thedigital frame can be received. Exemplarily, this input includes a touchon or near the object on the display at which the digital frame isdisplayed. In other embodiments, other selection methods can beemployed, such as through a vocal interaction with the media device.

Once the object is selected, a secure connection the website can beestablished in step 312. Exemplarily, the secure connection can beembodied in a webpage opened on the media device through an intranetwith the service provider so as to ensure that the website is betweenthe customer or user and the merchant or business associated with theselected object.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment in method 400 used inthe Vnet system 100 described in FIG. 1. While similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 can also include step 402 in which adatabase of recognizable objects with predefined website links isprovided. Various databases can be provided. These various databases canbe provided based on the type of advertisement or merchant, the type ofproduct, type of service, as well as definitions of objects, such asimages of actors, products, or buildings to be associated with a websitelink.

Step 404 illustrates that a Vnet application, as being executed on amobile media device, for example, can operate in the background during apresentation of media content. Step 406 illustrates that the applicationidentifies and categorizes objects in the digital frame and then choosesa database that matches the scene. Thus, for example, the applicationcould determine that a food product database is most appropriate for ascene while another scene may indicate an automotive database. Duringstep 406, the first, preprocessing search of the image can be performedalong with determining the relevant database.

Similar to other embodiments, once paused, in step 408, a second, moreintense search of the image for objects to provide website links to canbe performed. In addition, as illustrated in step 418, the video streamcan be buffered and restarted once the user closes the webpage. Next, instep 410, the digital frame that is displayed while paused can be saved.Additionally, the user may be presented with an option to zoom in on anobject or zoom out from an object to assist in selection of the object.Thus, in step 412, different areas of the display can be ready toreceive, for example, a touch command Once an object is selected, a new,secure window can be opened to the website related to the object in step414. Additionally, in step 416, a secure connection to the website canbe established in the window.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a method 500 used inthe Vnet system 100 described in FIG. 1 in which a Vnet application usesvoice recognized words to access websites associated with an image.Similar to method 400, method 500 can be provided with a database instep 502. This database can exemplarily include voice recognizable wordsthat can be mapped to objects on the screen and matched with variouswebpage links.

Step 504 illustrates that a Vnet application, as being executed on amobile media device, for example, can operate in the background during apresentation of media content. In this embodiment, the mobile mediadevice can include a microphone to listen for voice commands from theuser. Step 506 illustrates that the application identifies andcategorizes objects in the digital frame and then chooses a databasethat matches the scene. Thus, for example, the application coulddetermine that a food product database is most appropriate for a scenewhile another scene may indicate an automotive database. During step506, the first, preprocessing search of the image can be performed alongwith determining the relevant database. During these steps, voicecommands that match the images from the database can also be determined.

Similar to other embodiments, once paused, in step 508, a second, moreintense search of the image for objects can be performed. In addition,voice commands can also be determined based on the second search. Inaddition, as illustrated in step 518, the video stream can be bufferedwhile the user is viewing the webpage. Next, in step 510, the digitalframe that is displayed while paused can be saved. Additionally, theuser may be presented with an option to zoom in on an object or zoom outfrom an object to assist in selection of the object. In addition, vocalcommands to manipulate the image can be provided. Accordingly, if a zoomcommand is vocalized, the Vnet app would change the image as instructed.Thus, in step 512, the mobile media device can be prepared to receive avoice command that indicates a selection of the image in the digitalframe. Once an object is selected, whether through a voice command or asimple touch command, a new, secure window can be opened to the websiterelated to the object in step 514. Additionally, in step 516, a secureconnection to the website can be established in the window.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of method 600 that can be usedin any of the previously described methods 200 thru 500 before or duringdifferent steps of the image processing. In the Vnet system 100described in FIG. 1, a Vnet application can use location information forthe user to determine website links to be added to objects in a digitalframe of a media stream. Method 600 can begin at step 602 in which thegeographic location of the user is determined. The geographic locationcan be determined based on various position determining methods such aslocation recognition procedures of mobility systems or IP basednetworking techniques. In other embodiments, the IP address of the mediadevice can be used to ascertain the position. Exemplarily, the locationinformation can be a location relevant to advertisers and merchants thatadvertise through the content provider.

In step 604, the location information can be combined with otherinformation, such as from the preprocessing and intense processingsearches as exemplarily defined in method 400 of FIG. 4, for example.Thus, the database that is accessed in step 402, for example, may alsoinclude location based webpage links. Accordingly, in step 606, forexample, the match between the website links, including the locationinformation, can be used to identify website links for the identifiedimages in the digital frame. Exemplarily, in step 608, preferredproviders of the merchandise or advertisements can be selected based onexisting advertising agreements between Vnet service providers, productproviders based on a proximity of the providers to the user's locaton.Next, in step 610, the relevant information will be provided to the Vnetapplication as illustrated in the preceding embodiments.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 2-6, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 700 for delivering media content. The communication system 700can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 700 can be overlaid or operably coupled with theVnet system 100 of FIG. 1 as a representative embodiment of acommunication system 700. For instance, one or more devices illustratedin the communication system 700 of FIG. 7 can perform a method thatincludes receiving, by a processing system comprising a processor,product website information, receiving, by the processing system, mediacontent, wherein the media content comprises a plurality of digitalframes, inserting, by the processing system, the product websiteinformation into a digital frame of the plurality of digital frames thatincludes an object related to the product website information,providing, by the processing system, the plurality of digital frames asa video stream to a consumer media device, displaying, by the consumermedia device, the video stream, receiving, by the consumer media device,a user input to pause the video stream during the displaying of thevideo stream to pause the video stream to display a current digitalframe of the plurality of digital frames, receiving, by the consumermedia device, a user input indicating a selection of a portion of thecurrent digital frame, wherein the portion of the current digital frameindicates the object related to the product website information,determining, by the processing system, selected product websiteinformation for the portion of the current digital frame, and providing,by the processing system, a connection to a website associated with theselected product website information to the consumer media device.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 710 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 711 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 711 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 714 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 712 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 714 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 718 to commercial and/or residential buildings 702 housing agateway 704 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 718 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 719 to buildings 702. The gateway 704 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 706 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 708 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 707 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 704, the media processors 706, and media devices 708 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 706 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 729 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 7. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 700. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 715 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 731 coupled to thebuilding 702. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver731 can be transferred to the media processors 706 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 708. The media processors 706 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 732 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 733 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system700. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 733 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 700 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 730, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 732 towireline media devices 708 or wireless communication devices 716.

Communication system 700 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 730 to function as a Vnet content provider (hereinreferred to as Vnet content provider 730). The Vnet content provider 730can use computing and communication technology to perform function 762,which can include among other things, providing an intranet enabledwebpage via a secure connection as described, for example, by method 200of FIG. 2. Alternatively, function 762 of Vnet content provider 730 canbe similar to the functions of accessing databases to recognize objectsin a digital frame of step 402 in FIG. 4. The media processors 706 andwireless communication devices 716 can be provisioned with softwarefunctions 764 and 766, respectively, to utilize the services oftransformation key provider 730. For instance, functions 764 and 444 ofmedia processors 706 and wireless communication devices 716 can besimilar to the functions described as including IP Access information ina digital frame of a video stream in step 202 of method 200 of FIG. 2and locating and activating detected predefined objects on the screen instep 306 of method 300 of FIG. 3.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 717 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 802 of acommunication system 800. Communication system 800 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with Vnet system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system700 of FIG. 7 as another representative embodiment of systems Vnetsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 700 of FIG. 7. The webportal 802 can be used for managing services of Vnet system 100 of FIG.1 and communication system 700 of FIG. 7. A web page of the web portal802 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internetbrowser using an Internet-capable communication device such as thosedescribed in Vnet system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 700 ofFIG. 7. The web portal 802 can be configured, for example, to access amedia processor 806 and services managed thereby such as a Digital VideoRecorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an ElectronicProgramming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such as personal videos,pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the media processor 806. Theweb portal 802 can also be used for provisioning IMS services describedearlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phoneservices, and so on.

The web portal 802 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 762, 764, and 766 to adapt these applications asmay be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of Vnet system100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 700 of FIG. 7. For instance, auser can log into their on-line accounts and provision Vnet contentprovider 730 with the databases and weblink information of objects inthe video stream and so on. Service providers can log onto anadministrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintain the Vnetsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 700 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 900.Communication device 900 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in Vnet system 100, suchas mobile computing device 102, of FIG. 1 and communication system 700of FIG. 7 and can be configured to perform portions of methods 200, 300,400, 500, 600, and 1100 of FIGS. 2-6 and 11.

Communication device 900 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 902 (herein transceiver 902), a user interface (UI) 904, apower supply 914, a location receiver 916, a motion sensor 918, anorientation sensor 920, and a controller 906 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 902 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, 5G, as well as other next generation wirelesscommunication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 902 can alsobe adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies(such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such asTCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 904 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 908 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device900. The keypad 908 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 900 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 908 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 904 can further include a display910 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 900. In anembodiment where the display 910 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 908 can be presented by way of the display 910 withnavigation features.

The display 910 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 900 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 910 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 910 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 904 can also include an audio system 912 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 912 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 912 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI904 can further include an image sensor 913 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 914 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 900 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 916 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 900 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 918can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 900 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 920 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device900 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 900 can use the transceiver 902 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 906 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 900.

Other components not shown in FIG. 9 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 900 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 906 of the communication device 900. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 900 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 900 to force thecommunication device 900 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 900 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 900 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 9. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 900 can be adapted to perform the functions ofVnet system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 700, the mediaprocessor 706, the media devices 708, or the portable communicationdevices 716 of FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that the communicationdevice 900 can also represent other devices that can operate in Vnetsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 700 of FIG. 7 such as agaming console and a media player. In addition, the controller 906 canbe adapted in various embodiments to perform the functions 762, 764, and766, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, more advanced password options,such as voice and/or visual passwords can be transformed into uniquehigh strength passwords.

In one embodiment, a user can select a per-website transformation key.In another embodiment, the selected key provides for the sametransformation being applied to an easy-to-remember password. In oneembodiment, the easy to remember password is selected of a particularlength of characters based on a probability of disabling the keyboard(based on failed attempts) prior to a hacker being able to guess thepassword. Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1000 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the Vnet content provider 730 and the mediaprocessor 706 of FIG. 7, and the mobile computing device 102 of system100 in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g.,using a network 1026) to other machines. In a networked deployment, themachine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machinein a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a display device, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. It will be understood that a communication device ofthe subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device thatprovides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe methods discussed herein.

The computer system 1000 may include a processor (or controller) 1002(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 10010. The computer system 1000may further include a display unit 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 1000may include an input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard or touch screen), acursor control device 1014 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1016, asignal generation device 1018 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and anetwork interface device 1020. In distributed environments, theembodiments described in the subject disclosure can be adapted toutilize multiple display units 1010 controlled by two or more computersystems 1000. In this configuration, presentations described by thesubject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of the display units1010, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of thedisplay units 1010.

The disk drive unit 1016 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 1022 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 1024) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 1024 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1004, the static memory 1006, and/or within theprocessor 1002 during execution thereof by the computer system 1000. Themain memory 1004 and the processor 1002 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 1022 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 1000. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: providing, by a processingsystem comprising a processor, instructions to a media device to inserta first portion of product website information into a frame of aplurality of frames of a video stream, the frame including a primaryobject that is sold by a merchant; receiving, by the processing system,an indication of a first user-generated input to pause a presentation ofthe video stream, wherein the media device pauses the presentation ofthe video stream to display the frame responsive to the firstuser-generated input; providing, by the processing system and while thepresentation of the video stream has been paused, instructions to themedia device to insert a second portion of the product websiteinformation into the frame for a second object that is sold by themerchant; receiving, by the processing system, an indication of a seconduser-generated input indicating a selection of the primary object or thesecond object in the frame; responsive to selection of the primaryobject or the second object, determining, by the processing system,selected product website information from the first portion or thesecond portion of the product website information, wherein access to awebsite associated with the merchant and the selected product websiteinformation is only active after the pausing of the presentation of thevideo stream; and providing, by the processing system, a connection tothe website and the selected product website information to the mediadevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising buffering the videostream during the pausing of the presentation of the video stream. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a firewall betweenthe media device and the merchant.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving purchase information from the website based on thesecond user-generated input; and accessing an account of a user from aservice provider to complete a purchase via the website according to thepurchase information.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting ofthe second portion of the product website information into the framecomprises: identifying the second object related to the product websiteinformation within the frame as a related image; and adding the productwebsite information to the related image.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: accessing a database comprising connections betweenobjects and website links during the providing the video stream to themedia device; identifying an object from the database within the frameas an identified image; and adding a related website link to theidentified image.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein responsive to thereceiving of the indication of the first user-generated input to pausethe presentation of the video stream, the method further comprises:performing an additional scan of the frame for additional objects of thedatabase; and adding additional related website links to the additionalobjects.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining alocation of the media device; and providing location based websiteinformation related to the location of the media device as the productwebsite information being inserted into the frame.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second user-generated input comprises a voiceinput.
 10. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processing systemincluding a processor, facilitate performance of operations, theoperations comprising: inserting a first link of a plurality of links ina frame of a plurality of frames of media content for a primary objectof a plurality of objects that is detected as being displayed in theframe, wherein the primary object is sold by a merchant; receiving acommand during a displaying of the media content to pause the mediacontent to display the frame; responsive to the receiving of thecommand, inserting at least a second link of the plurality of links intothe frame for at least a second object of the plurality of objects thatis detected as being displayed in the frame, wherein the at least asecond object is related to the primary object and is sold by themerchant; receiving an input indicating a selection of the primaryobject or the at least a second object as a selected object in theframe; and responsive to the selection of the primary object or the atleast at second object, providing a connection to a website associatedwith the first link or the at least a second link in accordance with theselected object.
 11. The non-transitory machine-readable storage mediumof claim 10, wherein the receiving the input comprises a voice input.12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 10,wherein the operations further comprise: providing purchase informationto the website based on user input, wherein the website accesses anaccount of a subscriber from a service provider of the media content tocomplete a purchase via the website according to the purchaseinformation.
 13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 10, wherein the operations further comprise: performing a firstsearch of the plurality of frames responsive to the receiving of thecommand to determine if the primary object in the frame matches an itemcategory of a plurality of item categories; and performing a secondsearch of the frame, wherein the second search comprises accessing aportion of a database based on the item category of the first search.14. An apparatus, comprising: a processing system including a processor;and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed bythe processing system, facilitate performance of operations, theoperations comprising: providing media content to a media processor,wherein the media content comprises a plurality of frames; providing adatabase to the media processor, wherein the database includes links forobjects sold by a merchant that appear in the plurality of frames,wherein the media processor adds a first link of the links to a firstobject of the objects in a frame of the plurality of frames responsiveto receiving a pause command, wherein the media processor adds a secondlink of the links to a second object of the objects in the frame while apresentation of the media content is paused, and wherein the databaseand the media content are both provided by a same service provider;receiving an indication of a selection of the first object or the secondobject as a selected object in the frame from the media processor;determining a webpage corresponding to the selected object; andproviding a connection to the webpage to the media processor via thesame service provider, wherein access to the webpage is only activeafter the presentation of the media content is paused.
 15. The apparatusof claim 14, wherein the media processor is configured to perform apreprocessing search of the media content while the media content isbeing displayed on a display of the media processor, and wherein themedia processor is configured to perform a search of the frame forselected objects that appear in the frame responsive to receiving thepause command.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: receiving purchase information from the webpage basedon user input; and accessing an account of a user to complete a purchasevia the webpage according to the purchase information.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the providing the connection to the webpagecomprises accessing a webserver of the webpage and providing thepurchase information to the webserver.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the media processor determines a location of the mediaprocessor, and wherein the media processor accesses the databaseaccording to the location to determine location appropriate links forthe selected object in the frame.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe webpage is maintained by the same service provider.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein operations further comprise: providing afirewall between the media processor and a product provider thataccesses the webpage.